Iconic LeBron James banner comes down in Cleveland 2 days after he signed with Lakers

Michelle Robertson

Updated
3:36 pm CDT, Tuesday, July 3, 2018

CLEVELAND, OH - JULY 3: Workers remove the Nike LeBron James banner from the Sherwin-Williams building near Quicken Loans Arena on July 3, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio.

CLEVELAND, OH - JULY 3: Workers remove the Nike LeBron James banner from the Sherwin-Williams building near Quicken Loans Arena on July 3, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Photo: Jason Miller/Getty Images

Photo: Jason Miller/Getty Images

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CLEVELAND, OH - JULY 3: Workers remove the Nike LeBron James banner from the Sherwin-Williams building near Quicken Loans Arena on July 3, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio.

CLEVELAND, OH - JULY 3: Workers remove the Nike LeBron James banner from the Sherwin-Williams building near Quicken Loans Arena on July 3, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Photo: Jason Miller/Getty Images

Iconic LeBron James banner comes down in Cleveland 2 days after he signed with Lakers

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Cleveland is breaking up with LeBron James in a very visible way. A 10-stories-tall banner of James, his arms outstretched Christ-like before roaring stadium fans, that covers Sherwin-Williams headquarters is already being torn down.

The Nike banner is an icon in Cleveland, and a popular spot for Instagram photos, but the athletic company is tearing it down faster than an ex-boyfriend can get a tattoo of his former flame's name erased. A local news station even livestreamed the removal.

Reactions to the speedy teardown of the banner, which was erected after the Cavaliers' 2016 championship win, were mixed. Some said the banner removal would help the city move on from the James departure; others hoped it would remain standing as a reminder of the MVP's contributions to the city and team.

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The massive LeBron James banner hanging in downtown Cleveland was being removed Tuesday morning following the superstar's announcement he's leaving the Cavaliers for the Los Angeles Lakers. (July 3)